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Polk teacher, boyfriend accused of stealing golf clubs

Polk County sheriff's deputies arrested a Polk County school teacher from Winter Haven, along with her boyfriend, on charges of burglary and dealing in stolen property.

Officials said 42-year-old Amy Alvarado, who teaches second grade at Eastside Elementary, drove her boyfriend, 30-year-old Brian Fideau, to the area of Troon Court Southeast in Winter Haven Tuesday.

Fideau got out of the front passenger seat, ran into the open garage and stole a golf bag filled with clubs valued at more than $2,500, according to an arrest affidavit.

Deputies said after taking the clubs, Fideau put them into the car and Alvarado drove away. Alvarado's adult son, Gerson Alvarado and a friend, Marlon Arrindell, were in the car at the time, authorities said.

According to the arrest report, a neighbor witnessed the theft and gave officials a description of the car and passengers.

Detectives said they found the car, conducted a traffic stop and took the driver, identified as Amy Alvarado, and her front seat passenger, Fideau, into custody for an interview.

Alvarado told deputies that after stealing the clubs, they went to several pawn shops in an attempt to sell them, and eventually went to Play It Again Sports in Winter Haven and sold them for $180, according to a release. Investigators said Alvarado signed a form stating that she was the owner of the property.

Gerson Alvarado, 22, is currently on probation for robbery and was arrested and charged with violation of probation, along with possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia.

Arrindell, 23, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. He had just bonded out of jail on Monday after being arrested on charges of petty theft and resisting arrest.

Amy Alvarado is charged with burglary to a dwelling, grand theft, dealing in stolen property and false verification to a pawn broker. She was also arrested in July for failure to appear.

"We are disappointed to learn that Alvarado is a schoolteacher. She should have known and followed the Golden Rule. She didn't, so now she may be eating pressed turkey in the Polk County Jail for Thanksgiving," said Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

Fideau is charged with burglary to a dwelling, grand theft, dealing in stolen property, possession of marijuana and possession of paraphernalia. He was arrested in September for knowingly driving with a suspended or revoked license.